Page 78 of This Shattered Star

It would have to suffice.

For now.

Speechless, I merely nodded, forehead bobbing against his.

Maverick’s thumb traced my cheek a final time before he took a small step back, gesturing to the open balcony.

Even the smooth railing was diamond-encrusted. Beautiful, but provided little reassurance against the several hundred-foot drop below. Forcing my shoulders back, I obliged.

Standing before the twinkling lights of Aedreath, I found that I had little bravado left. I used the final dregs of it to rest my arms on the railing. Pretended I wouldn’t shatter every bone in my body if it failed to keep me from falling.

Maverick did the same, his left elbow close enough to brush my right. “The trials are almost over.”

“Thank the stars.” I searched for the lights of the night markets.

“You must know that I do not take enjoyment in your suffering.”

Found them. Straight ahead, a bit to the east. The Phantom Rivers shimmered further beyond. “Sometimes I find that hard to believe.”

From the corner of my eye, I noticed the small dip of his chin in acknowledgement as he accepted the blow.

“Have you found them?”

I stiffened. “Found who?”

“The traitors. I had suspicions that a high number of them competed among you in the trials. I had told you this, had I not?”

My lungs restricted to the point of agony. “You did,” I stalled. “But I… I thought you knew exactly who they were. That was why you selected them. For punishment.”

He ran a hand across the stubble along his jaw. “That’s not entirely true. I only heard whispers of who and why. Mostly rumors, muddled amongst court gossip. I was hoping they would make it more obvious throughout the trials. Once their identities are revealed, I can find who they’re connected to.” He paused, eyes going distant. “Weed out the bad roots before they can grow.”

Heart hammering steadily in my chest, I thought of my allies, still sequestered in the tower. Then immediately chased the thought away, smudging the details from my mind as though they were a variety of mismatched paint colors. Only an ugly cloud of grey remained. I forced the tremor out of my hands by laying them flat onto the balcony rail.

This was a dangerous game. But I realized that my choice was made. Hadalreadybeen made since the moment I sat at that table.

There was no turning back now.

Breathing in slowly, I attempted my best look of nonchalance and gazed up at the colorful flashes of light above our heads. Anything to keep my mind occupied.

“You’re meaning to tell me you selected this year’s competitors on a gamble?” I was stalling. Again. Trying to find the best way to keep my allies safe without lying too obviously. I owed them that much.

“Not all of them.” He gave me a half smile, like he’d shared something funny. Something only I would understand. It faded a little when I failed to reciprocate it. “I might have the final word, but all of those among youchoseto partake in the trials, Eloise. Even those who are innocent. Remember that.”

It didn’t make it any easier to stomach.

“Why are you telling me all of this?”

“Don’t cheat. You owe me at least one answer now. Just like you owe me from our last game of cards. And from that one occasion where I let you have the last berry tart. Should I begin writing an official list?” He playfully nudged my arm with his.

The small smile that tugged at my lips was genuine.Thatwas Maverick, the one that was easy to laugh with. The one that remembered all my birthdays and whose embrace felt like the only home I’d ever lived in. NotKingMaverick. The one that heldmyMaverick hostage with a crown that could slice you open at will.

Millions of excuses threatened to spill from my lips, though none of them adequate to hide the truth from his sharp mind.

“No. I haven’t found them.” A monumental lie. But a simple one. No layers for him to pick apart. No stories for me to remember and act on later.

He hummed in what could have been disappointment, but I felt his stare burning into the side of my temple. “Have you heard anything worthy of note? Seen anyone behave strangely?” he pressed.

I made a show of admiring the twinkling lights of the kingdom. Pretended to be fascinated with them. “Who is trying to cheat now, I wonder?” I tutted. “It’s your turn to owe me an answer.”